Rene emile trottier



Oct. 1,1929. Ra'rRo'rhER 1.729.

APPARATUS FOR SBPARATING MINERALS OR OTHER MATERIALS Filed Ma 2. 1925- Patented Oct. 1, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RENE EMILE TROTTIER, 0F PUTEAUX, FRANCE Application filed. May 2, 1925, Serial No. 27,530, and in France May 12, 1924.

This invention refers to a separator tube of special construction, adapted to act in combination with any fluid, either a liquid or a gas, for the separation of minerals or other materials of different densities.

The apparatus consists of a tube, which may be conical or of polygonal section, adapted to be rotated about its axis, and having on the inner surface a web or the like following a helical path. The pitch and the height of the web may vary from one extremity to the other of the tube. The direction of the spiral of the web is such that as the tube is rotated the heavier or denser products resting at the bottom of the spirals are gradually moved or raised towards one extremity of the tube, whilst the products of smaller density are carried along and discharged at the opposite extremity under the action of a current of fluid for instance of water, circulating or flowing in the opposite direction to that in which the densest or heaviest products are being moved.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing,-which shows by way of example, one constructional embodiment of an apparatus made accord ing to the invention in which the fluid utilized is water.

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of the separator tube.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section thereof taken on the line AB, Fig. 1.

The apparatus illustrated consists essentially of a conical tube a or it may be of polygonal section, mounted so as to rotate about its axis which in practice is generally horizontal, but which may be slightly inclined. The inner surface of the tube is provided with a web 7), following a helicoidal or spiral path. The height and pitch of the web may vary between one extremity and the other of the tube a.

The direction of the spiral of the web is such that as the tube is rotated, the products included between two spirals are carried along and upwards towards the end 0 of the tube.

The products to be sorted or separated are fed to the interior of the tube a, say at d, by means of appropriate travelling bands, conduits, or by any other suitable means.

The tube a has also passing therethrough a current of water moving in the opposite direction to that of the densest products, that is to say entering at e and leaving at 7. v

The supply of water may be effected at the end 0 or over the whole or a portion of the length of the tube a, by means of an inclined 0 conduit or pipe orpi aes g with a jet or jets or in any other suita le manner, and the jet or jets may be directed over the helical zone in such a way as to facilitate the separation of the products. 65

The rotary movement of the tube a is effected by mounting it on bearings and providing an appropriate pulley or pulleys, the drive being obtained either directly by belts, by gear wheels, or by any other appropriate gearing or means.

When the tube a is in motion, the products to be separated spread over the interior,like material in a drum. They are constantly being agitated and slipping down into the current of water as indicated at Fig. 2. As they slip down the products of less density are carried by the current of water in the direction f, whilst the denser products remain at the bottom of the spirals and are carried by these latter in the direction 6. In this way separation is effected in the various spirals, the said separation being a function of the height, width and number of the spirals. The denser products are evacuated at 0 whilst those of lesser density are removed at f.

Classification or sorting of the products before treatment in the separator tube increases the efficiency of the separation.

The products evacuated at c and at f are dehydrated by any appropriate means, and the water may be again passed to the circulation.

The apparatus just described may also be employed for removing, or separating, mud sediment and the like, the liner particles which are lighter being carried along by the current of water, whilst the heavier or denser portions remain at the bottom of the spiral 100 to be carried along to the end 0 as previously described.

The forward movement of the lighter particles may, as previously stated, be obtained by some other fluid than water, for instance by means of air. The apparatus may function under these conditions as a dust remover.

The regulation of the apparatus or adjustment to adapt it for different minerals to be treated is obtained by modifying the depth of the spirals, by the addition of appropriate facings or extensions.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is A separator for materials of different densities which comprises a conical drum having end openings, a horizontal axis, an uninterrupted helical coil 011 the interior of the drum with pitch opposed to the direction of rotation of the drum, the radial width and pitch of the coil convolutions decreasing from the larger drum end towards the smaller drum end and means for delivering water to the material in the drum.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, '1 have signed my name.

RENE EMILE TROTTIER. 

